By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, August 14, 2018 There’s probably a reason
why only a handful of municipal election candidates address transit
affordability in their campaign platforms posted online. It’s not easy
to stop annual fare and transit tax increases. Freezing fares would
require more government money to run OC Transpo, and more government
money could result in higher taxes or cuts in other services. Transit
fares might be a campaign issue in the Oct. 22 municipal election, but
candidates will have to be creative if they push proposals to hold or
reduce prices. In a scan of candidates’ websites, the most aggressive
proposal on transit affordability is coming from Shawn Menard, a
candidate in Capital ward. “Free public transit is achievable in
Ottawa,” Menard said.
https://ottawasun.com/news/local-news/council-candidates-need-to-be-creative-if-they-campaign-against-rising-transit-fares/wcm/5b037edb-6e47-4545-a6cc-fb1781224cec